Don’t let your guard down – “Both the epidemiological and microbiological data seem to indicate that we are passing the peak, even if a sustained circulation is highly probable also in the coming weeks, facilitated by the reopening of schools – comments Anna Teresa Palamara, who heads the Infectious Diseases department of the ISS -. We therefore continue to recommend vaccinations for the people most at risk, still useful in view of the end of the season which will last several more weeks, and healthy prudence in behavior. The recommendation not to take antibiotics, which are useless in case of viral infections, remains valid. unless advised by your doctor, and to go to the emergency room only if strictly necessary”.
Almost 8 million Italians affected since October – According to the latest bulletin, in the week between 1 and 7 January the incidence of flu-like syndromes stood at 16.5 cases per thousand people, down from 18.3 in the previous week. ISS data confirms that the current one is one of the most intense seasons ever recorded: since October, 7.8 million Italians have been put to bed by flu-like syndromes. If the decline is constant, this year we could surpass the 14 million infections of last season, which was particularly intense.
Tgcom24
Children are the most affected – In the last week, children under 5 were still the most affected with 33.6 cases per 1,000; However, they are also the segment of the population in which the greatest decline was recorded, with a reduction in incidence of over 30% compared to the previous week. Numbers are also decreasing in the 5-14 age group. However, infections in adults and the elderly are stable. The circulation of influenza viruses is also decreasing: in the first week of 2024, 34% of the samples analyzed tested positive for influenza (it was 46% the previous week).